Snell Standards specific question

About Snell Foundation

William
"Pete" Snell was an amateur auto racer. He died
needlessly in a racing event in 1956 when his then
state-of- the-art helmet utterly failed to protect
him. In memory of Pete, a number of his friends,
colleagues and fellow racers including
Dr. George Snively, formed
the Snell Memorial Foundation to try to improve
helmet design and capabilities, and to encourage
the development and use of truly protective helmets.

Each association and/or track has the responsibility
for the safety of its members or participants, which generally
creates a unique set of issues that must be dealt
with, and rules to be set accordingly. Snell recommends
the latest Snell Standards to all
consumers who need head protection.

Snell-direct-cost is only a small part of cost related
to making Snell certified helmets. Once a helmet has been
accepted into the Snell certification program, the Foundation
charges the manufacturer for test fees, acquisition cost
of random samples, and for each Snell Certification label
that goes into each certified helmet. The majority of the
cost is what a manufacturer must invest in a good quality
system in terms of hardware, equipment, and personnel to
maintain the consistency and reliability of producing good
helmets. However, these costs along with every other production
cost get passed along to you the consumer.

The Foundation spends the biggest part of its income
on operating the certification and testing programs. There
are all of the standard operating costs such as rents and
staff, as well as maintenance on its test facility in California,
equipment repair and replacement, and all the other expenses
associated with operating a non-profit business. The rest
goes to the Foundation's extensive
educational programs and
research projects.

Snell Helmet Certification

The protective capability of a particular helmet is difficult
to measure. One can quickly judge a helmet for style and
price, and with only a little effort for fit and comfort
as well. It is much more difficult to gauge what a
helmet can do when someone's skill, experience and every
other precaution have failed, when his helmet is the only
thing between his head and a violent collision. The Snell
Foundation knows. We destroy thousands of helmets every
year to find out. Snell Certification
is our assurance that a helmet has measured up to the highest
standards for protective performance time and again.

Snell Standards are the most demanding.
They are set to levels of protective performance that only
the best, most protective headgear will meet. But
Snell Certification is more than
high standards, it is testing. Helmets must first pass Snell
certification testing by Snell technicians in Snell labs
to qualify for Snell programs. Then samples of these helmets
regularly acquired directly from retailers and distributors
must continue to pass test requirements in order to remain
in the Snell programs. Snell Certification is your best
assurance that your helmet will perform its most important
function: save your life when all your judgment, skill and
luck have failed to keep you from harm.

Snell certified helmets are available
in almost every price range. Other features such as style
and comfort are also important in determining helmet price.
However, building consistently protective performance into
a helmet does cost money. The costs are in the design and
development, the materials and, most of all, in quality
control. Snell certification is your best assurance that
the manufacturer has made, and continues to make this investment
in your safety.

The Snell Standards are voluntary.
Some helmet manufacturers do not believe that they need
Snell to demonstrate that their products are among the best
protective headgear. Others believe that they need only
to produce helmets that meet Government or consensus helmet
standards and some try and just can not make the grade.
A very few helmet makers are truly inconsiderate of the
consequences of making an inferior safety product (they
are not usually around very long).

Snell does not dismiss out of hand any helmet design
that strays from the conventional. Snell does not
point out any design specifications other than general requirements
in its standards. We are, however, always concerned
with innovations and new designs that may effect helmet's
ability to protect the wearer, or in some cases helmet's
potential to cause injury. At present the Foundation
has not had the opportunity to test any of the flip up front
type helmets for certification. We do not find any
fault with these designs as long as they are used according
to the manufacturers instructions and meet all of the requirements
of the standard. We will also certify any size of
helmet as long as it meets the same requirements as any
other Snell certified helmet.

While helmets are primarily a protective device, the
true protective capabilities of a helmet, if needed will
only come into play for about 2 to 4 milliseconds during
the lifetime of the helmet. This leaves a lot of time for
that helmet to be doing nothing more than sitting around
on a user's head. Producing a product that meets the
standards is not really very difficult. Producing
a helmet that people will buy and wear, and will consistently
meet the standards is significantly more difficult.
The Snell Standards do not measure
factors like comfort, ventilation, brand recognition or
style, and only indirectly look at fit, weight, materials
and workmanship. These are factors that frequently drive
helmet cost.

There are two forms of the Snell serialized label.
The most common is the adhesive label, but there is also
a cloth type for the M, SA and RS standards. The adhesive
label, or decal is usually affixed somewhere on the inside
of the helmet. If it is not readily visible, check
underneath the flaps of the comfort padding. The cloth type
labels a generally sewn onto the chin strap and folded over.
If a thorough search fails to turn up a decal, then regardless
of any claims or advertisements, your helmet is not part
of the Snell certification program and does not have the
confidence of the Foundation.

Snell Helmet Testing

This question is probably the winner of the most Frequently
Asked Questions award, and all we can answer is "Not Anymore".
Actually the testing of helmets is a fairly straightforward
process. While most helmet testing is denoted "performance
testing" (How well a device or piece of equipment performs
under defined conditions that are analogous to real life
situations), rather than "materials testing" (The testing
of materials that will be used in the construction of an
item, to a defined set of conditions in controlled settings)
it is really a combination of both. This is because
it would be virtually impossible to perform a true performance
test on a helmet that would be repeatable at all and that
you could readily ascertain a helmets capabilities in a
variety of scenarios. What has been decided is that
testing needs to replicate possible stresses the helmet
might see in a wide variety of incidents rather than to
try to duplicate a real life incident. True to this
philosophy a helmet is tested for a variety of criteria:
retention strength, stability (how well the helmet will
stay on), penetration resistance, chin guard strength (if
applicable), face shield integrity (if applicable), and
most importantly impact energy management. Most helmet
standards also have requirements for coverage and visual
clearances. Helmet testing is a destructive process, meaning
that all tested helmets are destroyed during the testing
process. All of the requirements of the
Snell Standards are described in
each individual standard.

The specific answer is yes and no. If the helmet model
and size you have is certified and in good standing with
Snell, samples of that model and size helmet have been tested
to determine if the design, manufacturing processes and
materials used meet the requirements of the
Snell standard. Since helmet testing
is destructive, helmets that have undergone any type of
testing are destroyed in the process. If your helmet has
been tested, it's time for a new one.

Helmet questions in general

Auto racing, motorcycling, bicycling, skiing and any
activity that incorporates speed, agility and a head, all
impose risks of head injury leading to death or permanent
disability. Helmets are the single most effective means
of preventing these injuries.

Helmets are normally comprised of four elements; a rigid
outer shell, a crushable liner, chin straps or a retaining
system, and fit or comfort padding. The rigid outer shell,
when present, adds a load-spreading capability, and prevents
objects from penetrating the helmet. The liner, usually
made of EPS (expanded polystyrene) or similar types of materials,
absorbs the energy of an impact by crushing. The chin strap
when properly buckled and adjusted along with the fit padding
helps the helmet remain in position during a crash.

Helmets work like a brake or shock absorber. During
a fall or crash, a head is traveling at a certain speed.
Since the head has weight and is moving, there is a certain
amount of energy associated with the moving head. When the
helmet along with the accompanying head impacts an unyielding
object, a rock, a wall, a curb or the ground, the hard shell
starts by taking the energy generated by the falling helmet
(head) and spreads it over a larger portion of the helmet,
specifically, the internal foam liner. The foam liner then
starts to crush and break which uses up a lot of the energy,
keeping it from reaching the head inside. Depending
on how fast the head is traveling, and how big, heavy and
immovable the object is, the faster the head slows down,
and the more energy is present. In short, everything slows
down really quickly. A helmet will effectively reduce the
speed of the head by breaking and crushing which reduces
the amount of energy transferred to the brain. The whole
process take only milliseconds to turn a potentially lethal
blow into a survivable one.

The five-year replacement recommendation is based on
a consensus by both helmet manufacturers and the Snell Foundation.
Glues, resins and other materials used in helmet production
can affect liner materials. Hair oils, body fluids and cosmetics,
as well as normal "wear and tear" all contribute to helmet
degradation. Petroleum based products present in cleaners,
paints, fuels and other commonly encountered materials may
also degrade materials used in many helmets possibly degrading
performance. Additionally, experience indicates there will
be a noticeable improvement in the protective characteristic
of helmets over a five-year period due to advances in materials,
designs, production methods and the standards. Thus, the
recommendation for five-year helmet replacement is a judgment
call stemming from a prudent safety philosophy.

Generally the answer is probably not. Helmets are
one-use items, but are quite durable otherwise, at least
the ones we certify. Frequent dropping or spiking
a helmet on the ground, or other hard surfaces may eventually
degrade the helmet's performance. Similarly if the
helmet falls to the ground at highway speeds unoccupied,
the owner must be aware that some degradation may have occurred.
In general, the real damage comes when the helmet contacts
an object with a head inside. The Foundation recommends
that if you are participating in an activity that requires
that you wear a helmet, you avoid hitting stuff with your
head. It can be difficult to readily determine if
a helmet has been damaged, and the protective capabilities
compromised without a thorough inspection by a trained professional.
Some manufacturers may provide this service or direct you
to these others that can perform these inspections.
The Foundation recommends that if you suspect your helmet
may be compromised, then replace it. If the helmet has been
involved in an impact while in use, replace it.

Each year we get a whole bunch of questions about different
aftermarket helmet attachments. The Snell Standards
and testing apply strictly to whole helmets and how they
perform out of the box. Snell does not test, or qualify
aftermarket helmet accessories. We only certify complete
helmet structures. The addition, subtraction or modification
of any part, component or structure integral to the performance
of any Snell certified helmet may void completely, or in
part the Foundation's ability to support claims of Snell
certification for that helmet. This generally does not include
cosmetic changes such as painting, unless it is performed
contrary to the manufacturers' recommendations.

Good fit is essential to best head protection. Everyone
who shops for a helmet should do it as if it is a shoe purchase.
Generally we do not recommend buying a helmet on the web.
There is no way to know whether a helmet will fit well based
on the size designation of a helmet and your head circumference.
People with the same head size may have different head shape.
Without trying on the helmet there is no good way to tell.

First, you should try a few helmet models to find one
that feels most snug and comfortable all the way around
the head. To check if the helmet is too big, you should
buckle the strap and try to pull the lower back of the helmet
forward and then push the front brow area of the helmet
backward to see if the helmet will slip off either way.
If it does, the helmet is too large. A new motorcycle helmet
should fit very snugly. Most people buy a new motorcycle
helmet one size too big. To make sure the helmet is not
too small, you should leave the helmet on your head for
at least five to ten minutes to see if there is any feeling
of pressure point. Some helmet models have exchangeable
cheek pads for better comfort.

Do not place your helmet so that a projection or any
hard object, such as the motorcycle mirror, can damage the
inner foam liner of the helmet. Only use mild soap water
to clean the inside pads. Never use any chemical cleaning
products for the inside or outside of your helmet. Never
repaint your helmet with paints that are not authorized
by the manufacturer.

A good helmet provides the brain extra TIME and SPACE
to avoid or reduce injuries. First, it is the sudden stop,
not the fall, which causes brain injuries. Imagine yourself
in a moving bus that comes to a sudden stop. Without a seat
belt, your body would keep moving until you hit the back
of the seat in front of you or the bus windshield. Imagine
this: your brain tissues are like passengers on a moving
bus. A good helmet acts like a good driver that gives your
brain inside the helmet a little more time, a few taps on
the brake, to come to a gentler stop. Secondly, when thumbtacks
are used correctly, the wall is pierced, not the thumb.
The flat of the thumbtack spreads the force over a broad
area of thumb and the sharp point concentrates that same
force against a small area of the wall. In the same way,
a good helmet spreads concentrated forces from a rock or
any irregular impact surface over a broad area of the helmet’s
protective liner and the wearer’s scalp and skull. Instead
of slicing through flesh and skull, the forces are redirected
by the helmet. Not wearing a helmet is comparable to misusing
a thumbtack, except that hardly anyone dies of thumb injuries.

Pass
the strap through both rings from inside to outside
of helmet and let strap fall. Separate the rings,
grasp free end of strap and pass it back through
inside ring only (outside to inside) and pull comfortably
tight. Tip: Practice method before wearing helmet.

Batch testing is another form of compliance checking.
It is a common method used by many European and other country's
Governmental Standards as well as some of the private ones.
Batch test schemes are used to test many types of products.
It's called a batch test is because a manufacturer will
produce a batch of product and be required to submit a certain
number of samples from the batch for testing, or in some
cases test data collected by the manufacturer these products
to the organization requiring the test. The drawbacks of
batch testing are that the system may be manipulated too
easily. Unscrupulous manufacturers could make sure the tests
performed on their products in their own lab, or by a hired
one, indicate that they technically are in compliance with
the requirements of the standard. Additionally, if it is
required that the batch helmet samples are tested at an
outside source, it is possible to make sure the helmets
selected will perform as required. The potential benefit
of batch testing is that if everything is operating idyllically,
and inferior batch of helmets can be identified and distribution
halted until the problem is corrected. Over the years, Snell
has tried to implement batch programs to supplement the
RST program, but have consistently seen that the Snell RST
program tends to successfully find inferior product more
readily.

To answer this seemingly simple question can be very
involved, to some degree boring and even confusing.
When outside organizations test certain products like safety
gear to determine how "good", or how protective it is, generally
they are only testing a few samples of each product. A good
for instance would be automobile testing. Whether it's by
a government or private organizations, the cost of testing
more than just a few samples of a particular make and model
of vehicle quickly becomes prohibitive. Since the number
of vehicles that are tested is limited, and each vehicle
can only really be tested once, the number of possible collision
types is limited. If you only test three vehicles of a particular
make and model, you can only look at three possible types
of crashes. This creates the situation that if a vehicle
performs poorly in a test for say, a front end collisions
against a concrete barrier, traveling at 55 mph, hitting
at a 90 degree angle, it can be determined that you don't
want to hit a concrete barrier at 90 degrees, traveling
at 55 mph in this vehicle. You can even make the general
determination that the vehicle's front end protection is
poor or inadequate. If the vehicle performs well in this
test, the determination about overall safety may become
somewhat more dicey. For instance, many car makers will
quote results from crash testing in advertisements touting
that the vehicle received a five star rating in front end
crash testing however, they neglect to reveal how it performed
in other testing, or if in fact any other testing has been
performed. All of this in no way reflects on the organizations
performing the tests, and the car makers may well be trying
to make the safest vehicle possible. It is more a matter
inherent to the limitations of the systems and costs to
do the tests.

OK, so what about helmets?

Helmets are generally cheaper than most automobiles.
This allows for a greater scope of testing to be done. Snell
is very specific about the performance requirements for
each certified helmet model. Every helmet that is tested
to our standards, either for certification, or in our random
testing program is impacted at least 8 to 9 times at 4 or
5 different locations that can vary based on the test technicians
observations, and best judgment. For certification, we can
evaluate a helmet model with impacts to as many as 20 different
locations. Furthermore, since the testing impact sites are
not dictated, the testing technicians can inspect each helmet
closely to determine the areas of greatest concern. Snell's
RST (Random Sample Testing) program is an extension of the
certification testing. When helmets are acquired for random
testing, whenever possible we get them from stocks intended
for sale to consumers, or for distribution to end users.
Most come from private distributors, retail stores as well
as catalog and online dealers. All of these helmets are
tested in the same manner to confirm that the manufacturer
is keeping up their quality control. Snell will test as
many as 1000 helmets in our random testing program this
year. For the most popular and biggest selling helmet brands,
as many as 150 to 200 samples may be tested each year.

Buying a helmet is much like buying anything that is
important to you. You should choose a helmet based on its
ability to do the job it's intended for, regardless of whether
or not it's to satisfy a law or if you want the best protection
available. First you need to decide about the things that
matter to you. There are a number of items that are important
in finding a helmet that suits you. Snell recommends the
following no matter what helmet you buy:

Fit - Make sure that the size and shape of the helmet
are suited to your head. Sizing in helmets, even many
of the numerical sizes may not be consistent from brand
to brand or even model to model. Additionally make sure
the retaining system is effective comfortable and easy
to use.

Comfort - Make sure the helmet is as comfortable
to wear as possible. It is likely to be on your head
for a while and it should not become so annoying that
you are distracted from the important task of riding
safely. Also, choose an appropriate helmet for the type
of riding you will do most frequently and the environment
you're riding in. Full face helmets offer a measure
of protection from impacts to the face, and flying debris
like cigarette butts and gravel as well as helping to
avoid the dreaded insectus dentus adhesion affliction,
or "Bug Tooth Syndrome". Full face helmets do tend to
retain more heat though which is a consideration as
well.

Style - This may seem trivial and not related to
safety, but it does have it's place. Get a helmet you
like. For many riding is a big part of their life. It's
not just transportation, but also an important recreational
activity, even a lifestyle. It is common sense to conclude
that a rider is more likely to consistently wear something
he or she likes rather than something that they do not.

Safety - The only thing that can be added is that
Snell has been concerning itself solely with helmets
and head protection for over fifty years. Our focus
does not include trying to sell you a helmet, trying
to require you wear a helmet or trying to limit the
innovation of helmets. For years Snell has merely tried
to educate consumers about the importance of a good
helmet and point riders who are concerned with protecting
the stuff between their ears toward helmets that perform
to the Snell standards.

Snell Standards specific question

The SA standard was designed for competitive auto racing
while the M standard was for motorcycling and other motorsports.
The K standard was released to accommodate helmets used
in karting. There are three major differences between them:

The SA standard requires flammability test while
the M and K standards do not.

The SA and K standards allow for a narrower visual
field than the M standard (Some SA and K certified helmets
may not be street legal).

The SA and K standards include a rollbar multi-impact
test while the M standard does not.